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Shure SE846 Impressions Thread
Apr 30, 2014 at 5:55 PM Post #2,101 of 22,946
acadia said:
Does dac/dap really make a difference. I. Hear something like ak240 needs a high end unemployment, to really shine. I have 846, and noticed that listening on my iPad mini retina is better than my 5s, so it got me yo perusing would picking up a high end dac/dap really improve sound quality?
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A better DAC and a good amp does make a difference. When I use my SE846 on my Sony XA50ES with Little Dot MKIII tube amplifier, it sounds much much better than the SE846 on my iPhone 5S. When I plug the SE846 directly on the headphone out of the XA50ES, the iPhone sounds as good. The SE846 is only 9 ohm. It should't need an amp at all, but for some reason, the LD MKIII significantly increases the sound quality. It's not placebo, because the difference is huge. I heard portable amps don't make a difference for the SE846, but my desktop headphone tube amp certainly does.
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 6:03 PM Post #2,102 of 22,946
s0ny said:
A better DAC and a good amp does make a difference. When I use my SE846 on my Sony XA50ES with Little Dot MKIII tube amplifier, it sounds much much better than the SE846 on my iPhone 5S. When I plug the SE846 directly on the headphone out of the XA50ES, the iPhone sounds as good. The SE846 is only 9 ohm. It should't need an amp at all, but for some reason, the LD MKIII significantly increases the sound quality. It's not placebo, because the difference is huge. I heard portable amps don't make a difference for the SE846, but my desktop headphone tube amp certainly does.
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So wouldn't recommend ak240 or the like. I heard that as well portable didn't make much difference. But I definitely hear a difference from iPad mini retina to 5s
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 6:05 PM Post #2,103 of 22,946
Now imagine how good it would sound with an amp that isn't among the worse possible choices available.  OTL and iems is a terrible idea.  Eddie Current ZDSE being the one exception though it isn't ideal either.
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 7:00 PM Post #2,105 of 22,946
acadia said:
So wouldn't recommend ak240 or the like. I heard that as well portable didn't make much difference. But I definitely hear a difference from iPad mini retina to 5s
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Depends on your needs and pocket book but I would recommend AK240 above most portable setups under $2k.
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 7:42 PM Post #2,108 of 22,946
ag8908 said:
anyone know the DAC chip that goes into apple products? I assume they don't fabricate their own. googled around a bit but couldn't find it.

i'm guessing it's something by cirrus.
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Some links you might find useful.

http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_5-review-822p6.php


http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+A6+Teardown/10528#s38334
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 7:45 PM Post #2,109 of 22,946
It's different by device and version.  For an iPod classic it is:
iPod 5G (Wolfson WM8758)
iPod 4G (Wolfson WM8975)
iPod 3G (Wolfson WM8731)
iPod 1G/2G (Wolfson WM8721)
 
Later versions they started using Cirrus chips.  This is why many folks who use iDevices use a dac like those from Cypher Labs to take the apple dac out of the picture.  The iPhones use Cirrus or an Apple branded Cirrus chip.  For other products you can go the this URL http://macintoshhowto.com/ipod/which-ipod-has-the-best-audio-quality.html
 
Hope this answered you question.
 
Apr 30, 2014 at 9:34 PM Post #2,111 of 22,946
Yup, I have the 5.5G with DIY mod, where you solder a wire from output of the wolfson to the audio pin connector where the line-out is to make it true line-out where you bypass all the SMD caps and inductors.  
tongue.gif
  
 
Wolfsons were very popular for a time, so people kept asking if there is a Wolfson inside the portable devices.  And chinese device makers would put Wolfsons inside so they can cater to us Audiophiles.  But now, it's ESS stealing the thunder.
 

 
Apr 30, 2014 at 11:52 PM Post #2,112 of 22,946
Got a 22 Ohm impedance adapter along with a 75 Ohm one to use these bad boys with my ZX1/RWAK120 and the latter for desktop amps. 
 
May 1, 2014 at 2:22 AM Post #2,113 of 22,946
buddhahacker said:
Depends on your needs and pocket book but I would recommend AK240 above most portable setups under $2k.
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Well needs why I usually listen on flights, lounging on couch, I don't have too many high res songs because isht it's hard to get most music as hi res versions.pocketbook wise, money is always an object, but can I afford it yes, the question is should I, if it really bring the auditory pleasure which I seek then shure. Comparison jumping from se535 to. Se846 was sorth the $1k, even 1.5k I wouldn't have blinked it probably would have compared to more iems at that point.

So basically what I've gathered really I need a non portable setup to really get the sound I want.
 
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